# Questions about arthritis treatment Surprise, answered plainly *Straight Answers — Arthritis Treatment Surprise* > Direct answers to common questions about soreness, home care, shots, surgery and arthritis treatment Surprise residents can consider. What do people ask most about arthritis care? They ask what helps, what is safe, and when to get examined. You'll find useful facts for your next decision here. ## Sources 1. The RESTORE randomized clinical trial (n=288) compared three weekly intra-articular injections of leukocyte-poor PRP with saline placebo in symptomatic mild-to-moderate medial knee OA. At 12 months the mean change in knee pain was -2.1 versus -1.8 points (difference -0.4, 95% CI -0.9 to 0.2, P=.17) and the mean change in medial tibial cartilage volume was -1.4% versus -1.2% (P=.81). Twenty-nine of 31 prespecified secondary outcomes showed no significant between-group difference. Bennell KL, et al. — [Effect of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma vs Placebo Injection on Pain and Medial Tibial Cartilage Volume in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: The RESTORE Randomized Clinical Trial.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34812863/). *JAMA*, 2021. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.19415. 2. FDA states verbatim that stem cell products, stromal vascular fraction (adipose-derived), umbilical cord blood, Wharton's jelly, amniotic fluid and exosome products have NOT been approved 'for the treatment of any orthopedic condition, such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, disc disease, tennis elbow, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain, or shoulder pain.' The only FDA-approved stem cell products in the United States are blood-forming (hematopoietic progenitor) cells derived from umbilical cord blood, approved only for disorders of blood production, and there are currently NO FDA-approved exosome products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration — [Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/consumer-alert-regenerative-medicine-products-including-stem-cells-and-exosomes). *FDA (Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research)*, 2020. 3. A BMJ systematic review and meta-analysis of 169 trials (21,163 participants) found that in the pre-specified main analysis of 24 large placebo-controlled trials (8,997 participants), viscosupplementation reduced pain by only SMD -0.08 (95% CI -0.15 to -0.02) - about 2.0 mm on a 100 mm scale - with the confidence interval excluding the minimal clinically important difference of -0.37. Trial sequential analysis indicated conclusive evidence of clinical equivalence to placebo since 2009. Pereira TV, et al. — [Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36333100/). *BMJ*, 2022. DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-069722. 4. The Lancet Seminar on osteoarthritis states that diagnosis is clinically based despite widespread OVERUSE of imaging, that management should focus on core treatments - self-management and education, exercise, and weight loss where relevant - and that surgery should be reserved for people who have not responded appropriately to less invasive methods. Hunter DJ, et al. — [Osteoarthritis.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31034380/). *Lancet*, 2019. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30417-9. 5. In the only randomized trial of total knee replacement (100 patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA), the surgery group improved more on the KOOS4 score at 12 months than the non-surgical group (32.5 vs 16.0; adjusted mean difference 15.8, 95% CI 10.0 to 21.5) - but had four times the serious adverse events (24 vs 6, P=0.005), and 26% of the non-surgical group chose surgery within the year while 74% did not. Skou ST, et al. — [A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Total Knee Replacement.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26488691/). *N Engl J Med*, 2015. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1505467. ## What can I do first for an aching joint? Start with gentle motion and simple strength work. Heat may loosen stiffness, while cold can calm soreness after activity. If the ache keeps limiting you, arrange an exam. You'll get clearer advice after someone examines the joint. ## Can exercise make arthritis worse? The right amount of movement often helps stiffness and daily use. Start slowly and notice how you feel the next day. A sharp catch or rising soreness means you'll need easier exercise. A physical therapist can choose work for your joint. ## What is safe to take every day? That depends on your health and other medicines. Anti-inflammatory gel goes on the skin over a knee or hand. Tablets spread more of that medicine beyond the joint. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using either one daily. ## What are the alternatives to joint replacement? Choices include exercise, weight change, gel, pills, a cane, or a brace. A clinic may also discuss a steroid shot. QC Kinetix offers regenerative care, which can use prepared parts of your blood. An exam helps show whether non-surgical care fits you. ## What can a joint shot do? A steroid shot may ease soreness for a limited time. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, comes from your blood after it's spun to gather platelets. One large study found no better soreness relief than salt water. Ask about other studies, cost, risk, and recovery. ## When should I get joint soreness checked? Arrange a routine visit when soreness changes walking, sleep, or chores. Get prompt help for fever, sudden swelling, serious injury, weakness, or numbness. Those symptoms can need care beyond a joint clinic. Don't wait for them to settle by themselves. ## What to expect at the first visit At QC Kinetix, a medical provider, meaning clinic staff who handle exams, checks your joint. This person asks how soreness affects your usual day. You'll hear whether non-surgical care might fit. The Peoria office is near Thunderbird Road and 94th Drive. Call (602) 837-PAIN to confirm the location. You'll need a medicine list and any prior X-ray report. The appointment is a chance to get clear answers. It isn't a promise about your result. You can decide after hearing what each treatment involves. Book a free consultation: --- Clear answers for a joint that keeps bothering you. Plain help for joint soreness in Surprise, Arizona, including self-care, warning signs and nearby non-surgical options. Plain help for joint soreness, self-care, warning signs, and nearby non-surgical choices in Surprise. This site is operated by the owners of the QC Kinetix clinics serving the Phoenix area — Peoria, Banner Estrella, Scottsdale and Chandler — a non-surgical joint pain practice, so read it as first-party writing from a business that benefits when you book, and check the sources for yourself. © 2026 Surprise Arthritis Ledger. General education about joint conditions, not medical advice for your own joint; talk to a clinician about your case.